Many of the passengers are Russian traders.
Though the colony was never very profitable, because of the costs of transportation, most Russian traders were determined to keep the land for themselves.
Russian traders and Jews escaping pogroms were the first arrivals.
Once a Russian trader was left on Attu and had to wait seven years for another ship to retrieve him.
The trip is a popular one for itinerant Russian traders.
During a three-week stay they met Russian traders and got to know the native population.
Russian traders settled in Alaska during the 18th century.
Russian traders would stay multiple years at a time in the Near islands hunting sea otter.
In succeeding decades Russian traders established themselves in the region.
The fur was almost always sold to Russian and Chinese traders.